October 2016 Volume 33 Number 10

news@thefigtree.org(509) 535-1813 • 535-4112

Monthly newspaper and website covering faith in action throughout the Inland Northwestonline at www.thefigtree.org • check The Fig Tree Facebook page daily for news and links

Sr. Sue Orlowski, SPWhat started for Jessica Kovac

as a one-day ministry with 40 brown bag meals prepared in her kitchen with $50 in tips she made at a high-end restaurant, has evolved into a ministry that includes 75 volunteers and three paid staff.

Every Wednesday, whether it’s 9 degrees or 100, the minis-try, Blessings Under the Bridge (BUTB), serves about 250 people under a bridge in southeast Spo-kane, offering food, support, camaraderie and supplies.

Twice a year it hosts events that

Blessings under the Bridges blesses both volunteers and homeless people

Tenants share stories, act togetherto keep tenants in their homes, to reduce homelessness which has an impact on the individuals involved and the community.”

“Insight into what low-income tenants experience is important. They are like the canaries in mines,” said Terri, who talks with 60 tenants a week. “Tenants from marginalized communities are the most vulnerable.”

She organizes tenant associations in Housing and Urban Develop-ment (HUD) Section 8 project based buildings to address common concerns. The Tenants Union of Washington State has a statewide tenants rights hotline. Locally there are three walk-in tenant counseling clinics open three days a week.

“Many tenants are afraid and feel shame, so they feel better when they realize others share their experiences. At monthly tenant meetings tenants share their stories and organize for housing justice at the local, state and national levels,” she said.

Terri, who received a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in political science and social sciences, seeks to empower tenants through education on ten-ants’ rights and through leadership

Continued on page 4

draw up to 500 volunteers and 1,000 people who live under the bridge, on the streets, in shelters or in low-income apartments. The summer event is a barbecue. The December event is held no matter what the temperature is.

As the ministry grew, Jessica formed a nonprofit organization in 2010.

As a child, she moved from California to Seattle. Then her father’s job brought them to Spo-kane. She later moved to Portland and back to Spokane with her husband, Mike.

After 17 years in a difficult

marriage, Jessica was on the verge of divorce. Feeling bitter toward her husband and ashamed of who she’d become, she decided to head to unfamiliar territory and do something for people who were worse off than she was.

As she stepped out of her car alone near the freeway where many homeless slept, she had a case of water and a tote bag with the food.

“That step changed my life, restored my marriage and en-couraged others, including my husband, to join me,” she said. “I was scared, but filled with peace, knowing that I was being drawn, pulled and led to do something far beyond my understanding. I had no clue that God had a plan for my life all along.”

What started as one evening be-came two, three or four evenings, and then a full-time ministry.

Mike was skeptical at first but joined her “under the bridge” about a month later. He quickly became an avid supporter as he listened to stories from the down-trodden and did what he could to

Terri Anderson organizes with tenants to keep them housed in healthy, safe housing.

Continued on page 8

On genome editingScientists, public needto discuss implications

Aaron Putzke not only teaches about and does research us-ing genome editing with worms and zebra fish, but also seeks to inform and engage Whitworth University students and the community in discussing bio-ethics related to that technology.

However, it’s a long way from editing the genome of worm with 959 cells or fish with millions of cells and complex brains, to editing human beings with trillions of cells, he said.

A recent meeting of scientists in Washington, D.C., recom-mended slowing down on human genome editing and doing more discussion. While genome editing can improve physi-cal structure, cure diseases and fight cancer, there are many unknown impacts, he said.

To invite discussion in the public and academic spheres, Whitworth University is hosting a Genetic Engineering Sym-posium on “Editing the Genome: Should We Alter the Future of Humankind?” It will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, at the Weyerhaeuser Hall. Featured speakers are Nigel Cameron, Meaghan O’Keefe and Andrew Scharenberg.

Nigel, president of the Center for Policy on Emerging Technologies, will discuss ways to create conversation and influence regulations.

Meaghan, who teaches at the theological department of the University of California, will focus on the relationship of technology, law, policies, language, religion and bioethics.

Andrew, who is from the University of Washington and Se-attle Children’s Hospital, will address uses of genome editing technology during symposium.

Continued on page 6

Micah 4:4

Terri Anderson is a tenant. She also advocates for tenants because she believes that if renters share their concerns and work together they can make Spokane a better place to live.

As an organizer for the Spokane office of the Tenants Union of Washington since 2013, she brings together skills in organizing and passion for social, economic and environmental justice.

“Our goal is to help tenants re-main in housing,” she said.

Advocacy for her means educat-ing tenants, landlords, the commu-nity and policy makers. It means organizing tenants to share their concerns and overcome their fears to speak up on behalf of themselves to improve their living conditions and problems with landlords.

Terri said Spokane is in a rental-housing crisis with a 1.3 percent vacancy rate. The rate statewide is 3 percent, with 5 percent consid-ered a healthy rental vacancy rate.

With few vacancies, someone who is evicted may have nowhere to move.

“That hits low-income tenants the hardest and creates a fine line between being a tenant and being homeless,” she said. “Our goal is

By Mary Stamp

The Fig Tree1323 S. Perry St.Spokane, WA 99202-3571

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSPOKANE WA

Permit No. 1044Stories inside

Family Promise expands outreach - p. 5

Vergers do behind-the-scenes tasks - p. 7

Glass can be recycled endlessly - p. 9

Spokane observes 10 Days of Peace - p. 12

33rd Year ofPublication

Calendar on page 11features 46 events

Regional ecumenical & inteRfaith news

Page 2 - The Fig Tree - October 2016

Religion News BriefsAround the WorldWorld Council of Churches News, PO Box 2100

CH - 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel: +41-22 791 6111 Fax: +41-22 788 7244 www.oikoumene.org

Planning is underway for the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference scheduled on Satur-day, Jan. 28, at St. Mark’s Lu-theran Church, 316 E. 24th Ave.

The organizing committee includes members of sponsoring agencies—The Fig Tree, Catholic

Charities Spokane, Faith Action Network of Washington and the NAACP Spokane.

The group meets Thursdays at 3 p.m., Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec.1 and Jan.5, and at 2 p.m., Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15 and Jan. 20, 631 S. Richard Allen Ct.

Organizers are arranging the program, speakers and workshops based on issues of concern to the faith community that are coming before the 2017 session of the Washington State Legislature.

For information, call 535-1813 or email mary@thefigtree.org.

Legislative Conference planning underway

Ecumenical Institute serves thousands in 70 yearsThe Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey observed its

70th anniversary with speakers, worship, prayer services and a book launch, the weekend of Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

Over seven decades, the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Bossey Institute has served as an “ecumenical laboratory” for thousands of students from all over the world, including Fig Tree editor Mary Stamp, who was there in 1969 and 1970.

The weekend included presentations on “Peace-building and the Role of Religions” by Professor Ahmed al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam and Shaykh of al-Azhar al-Sharif and the Rev. Ioan Sauca, director of Bossey, as well as by students and alumni.

Representatives from the United Nations, the Swiss government, the Swiss Council of Religions and WCC member churches also shared reflections on the institute’s accomplishments and role.

At Bossey, students live, learn and pray together in an inter-cultural and inter-confessional community of faith. They combine academic studies with experiential learning, and they graduate with well-honed skills for dialogue and peace-building.

As students complete interfaith courses at the Ecumenical Institute, they go back into the world to promote dialogue and collaboration, build interreligious trust and understanding, and support the ecumenical movement on the pilgrimage of justice and peace. The Fig Tree is an example of media doing that.

The anniversary highlights the Ecumenical Institute’s role in forming ecumenical leaders to be agents of dialogue and recon-ciliation, and to explore how this impacts the search for Christian unity and harmony with all God’s people.

WCC holds discussion on religious freedom Advancement of religious literacy and religious freedom lit-

eracy in international diplomacy is increasingly needed, a panel on religious freedom and international diplomacy said recently in Geneva. The panel was organized for the 33rd session of the UN Human Rights Council by the United Nations staff on freedom of religion or belief, the delegation of the European Union to the UN in Geneva and the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Ambassador Peter Sørensen, head of the European Union (EU) delegation to the UN in Geneva, said, “The EU defends and promotes the principled position that freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right to which everyone is entitled, everywhere.”

Peter Prove, director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA) of the WCC, said the WCC has never seen religion as being purely a matter for the private realm, but rather as a reference point and basis for public advocacy for justice, peace, human dignity and care for creation. Respect for freedom of religion is a basic prerequisite for democratic and peaceful progress of human society, he said.

“The difficult situation of religious minorities in many parts of the world has increasingly become a concern for the WCC, especially in the Middle East region. Religious diversity and religious minorities are crucial for healthy and sustainable soci-eties. Our concern is to bring the situation of religious minority communities to the center of international affairs, acknowledging the equal rights of all,” Peter said.

Heiner Bielefeldt, UN reporter on freedom of religion or belief, said, “We need to understand secularity as an open space, not an empty space. Religion should be visible and audible in public space, rather than silenced or pushed out of it.”

The CCIA, an advisory body of the WCC providing a platform for joint advocacy and support initiatives for peace-making, justice and overcoming poverty, was founded in 1946. The WCC has been engaged in defending freedom of religion and belief since the end of World War II.

To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the CCIA has compiled an anthology of documents on religious freedom, “Freedom of Re-ligion: Statements and Issues of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs.” The resource is available at www.oikoumene.org. The Fig Tree is published 10 months

each year, September through June.Deadlines:

COPY - 3rd Fridays ADS - 4th TuesdaysIt is published by The Fig Tree,

1323 S. Perry St., Spokane, WA 99202, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

Editorial TeamEditor/Publisher/Photos - Mary Stamp

Directory Editor - Malcolm HaworthWebsite Developer - Lorna Kropp Volunteer Coordinator - Kaye Hult

Editing - Carol Bellinger, Mary Ann Farley SNJM, Kaye Hult, Inga Jablonsky, Mary Mackay, Kimmy Meineke, Dru Powers,

Sara Weaver and Pava YoungFig Tree Board

Nick Beamer, Nick Block, Barb Borgens, Mary Ann Farley, Malcolm Haworth,

Kaye Hult, Kimmy MeinekeRoger Ross, Kathy Sandusky,

Mary Stamp, Marilyn Stedman, Lauri Clark-Strait, John Wang,

Happy Watkins, Anastasia WendlinderCopyright © 2016

(509) 535-1813 or 535-4112Email: news@thefigtree.org

Amy Levad, associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., is the Gonzaga Religious Studies Fall 2016 Flannery Lecturer.

She will speak on “Violence and Our Prison Society: Catholic Moral Theology and the Work for Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation” at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, at Cataldo Hall.

Amy is also the author of Restorative Justice: Theories and Practices of Moral Imagination and Redeeming a Prison Society: A Liturgical and Sacramental Response to Mass Incarceration.

She is founding program director of a certificate in theological studies program in Metro State Prison outside Atlanta. Sponsored by the Atlanta Theological Association, the program offers women in prison a year of theological study, and trains divinity and doctoral students in prison ministry, activism and education.

Amy is on the Board of Directors of Restorative Justice Community Action in Minneapolis and works on a Louisville-funded project on faith-based responses to mass incarceration.

“Our society has been roiled in

recent years by incidents of police violence, especially against black men and women,” said Amy. “This past summer, violence turned against police.”

She believes these incidents reveal the subtle violence wreaked by mass incarceration on everyone as members of a “prison society.”

Amy believes response to these incidents must account for a broader crisis of criminal justice built on racism, social injustice and an ethic of retribution.

For information, call 313-6782 or visit Gonzaga.edu/religious-studies.

Lecture explores violence and prison society

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Thursday, October 20, 2016 Spokane Convention Center

Register TodayEarly bird registration ends September 29th!

www.inwconference.org / 855·299·2922

Fareed Zakaria will present Whitworth University President’s Leadership Forum from 7:30 to 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

The forum draws national leaders to speak on current issues.

Host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, contributing editor at The Atlantic and a Washington Post columnist, Fareed is respected for his analysis and ability to spot

economic and political trends. Winner of a 2012 Peabody

Award, the Emmy-nominated GPS features panel and one-on-one interviews with heads of state, intellectuals and business leaders.

His international bestseller The Post-American World analyzes the growth of China, India, Brazil and others. His previous New York Times bestseller, The Future of Freedom, has been translated into more than 20 languages.

His latest book, In Defense of a Liberal Education, was published in March 2015.

Born in India, he was educated at Yale and at Harvard, where he received PhD. Fareed became the youngest managing editor of Foreign Affairs at 28. He was the editor of Newsweek International from 2000 to 2010 and editor-at-large at TIME from 2010 to 2014.

For information, call 777-4703 or email lclark@whitworth.edu.

Journalist speaks at the Whitworth Forum

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, U.S.-Ontario Province reported Sept. 27 that Catholic Charities purchased the Convent of the Holy Names buildings and part of its 65-acre Spokane campus on Ft .Wright Dr.

Catholic Charities will re-use the main convent building for a new, innovative social services program, called “Rising Strong,” in collaboration with Empire Health Foundation. The foundation provided $1.6 million to Catholic Charities for the purchase as an investment in this project aimed to reduce the number of children removed from their homes by Child Protective Services.

Catholic Charities is also partnering with the Spokane-

Holy Names Sisters sell and preserve propertybased Inland Group to use part of the property to develop affordable housing for seniors and families, with care to preserve the property’s spiritual and ecological characteristics.

Catholic Charities will keep the chapel for prayer and occasional Mass, and other facilities, to support its mission to reveal God’s love to the poor and vulnerable.

The Sisters selected Catholic Charities in early 2016 after a two-year process. The art studio and some administrative offices will stay at the property rent free.

The Sisters will permanently protect and conserve nearly 50 percent of the property through the Conservation Futures Program.

For information, call 744-3448 or email rmccann@ccspokane.org.

October 2016 - The Fig Tree - Page 3

St. John’s CathedralHome-Spun HOLIDAYBAZAAR

at 12th & Grand

9 am - 3 pmSaturday, Nov. 12

Lunch Available11:30 am to 1 pm

Raffles Food & Crafts

Bazaars Bake, Craft and Book Sales, Auctions & Meals

The Fig Tree will run another event section

in the Nov. issue Cost: $14/col. inch

Come Visit Our Christmas Bazaar!!Cheney United Methodist Church crafts, baked goods and a gift

shop designed for childrenSaturday, Nov. 5 • 9 am-3 pm

4th & G St. - Cheney WA

Cheney United Church of Christ BazaarSaturday, Nov 5

9 am - 2 pm • 11 am - 1 pm lunchCrafts, Silent Auction, Raffle

423 N. 6th - Cheney

Holiday Bazaar & LuncheonSaturday, Nov 5 • 9 am -3 pm

Crafts, Baked Goods, Raffle Basket, Holiday Decorating & White Elephant Cheney Emmanuel Lutheran

639 Elm Street

Bazaar & Bake Sale

St. Mark’s Lutheran316 E. 24th Ave.

Grand Blvd. & 24th9 am - 2 pm

Saturday, Nov. 5Coffee bar, bake sale,

quality seconds and crafts

A Completely Bazaar Day in Cheney

Saturday, Nov. 5Loads of craft and baked goods

Come for breakfast, stay for lunchRaffle prizes, White Elephant giftsVisit all four churches!!!

St. Paul’s Episcopal Bazaar

Saturday, Nov 59 am - 3 pm • 625 C St. - CheneyChristmas block quilt raffle • crafts

baked goods • gently used collectibles

FALL FESTIVALBAZAAR

Saturday, Nov. 59 am - 2 pm

lefse, bean soup mix, plants, baked goods, crafts,

Grannie’s Attic & morePrince of Peace Lutheran

8441 N. Indian Trail Rd. Spokane

A TASTE OF JAPAN

SATURDAY, Oct. 8 11 am to 3 pm

Serving different Japaneseentrees - $5 eachHighland Park

United Methodist Church611 S. Garfield

cash or credit cardsFor information call 535-2687

SCANDINAVIAN BAZAAR

Proceeds benefit local charitiesSATURDAY, Nov. 5

Kaffe Stua 9 - 11 amBazaar 9:30 am - 1 pm

Central Lutheran Church512 S. Bernard (5th & Bernard)

Lefse, Scandinavian Cookies & CraftsPre-order at church - 624-9233

Pilgrim Lutheran Church Annual Bazaar

Sat. Nov. 5 - 9 am-3 pm2733 W Northwest Blvd

Country Store with baked goods, lots of unique and handcrafted items,

and Peanut Butter Peanut Brittle

Audubon Park United Methodist Women’s

Annual BazaarSat. Nov. 5 - 9 am-3 pm

3908 N. Driscoll Blvd.Wheelchair Friendly • Drawing

54

Since Char les Wi l l i ams took over the management of Emmanuel Family Life Center (EFLC) in Spokane in the fall of 2015, he has worked to improve the building, as well as to bring new outreach programs.

Kaye Hult, administrative and volunteer coordinator for The Fig Tree, which has its office in EFLC, and Mark Kinney from Thrivent Financial, suggested they could facilitate a work day for EFLC to help with physical improvements through a Thrivent Action Team event.

The three planned a morning of painting to refresh the first floor hallway and conference room.

EFLC had the paint. Funds from the Thrivent Action Team provided other supplies.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, they

gathered, along with eight others. Several were related to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Some were The Fig Tree staff, volunteers and board members.

Energized by donuts and coffee donated by Mark, they were led in

prayer by Pastor Lonnie Mitchell of Bethel AME Church, who helped paint.

By the end of the morning, the hallway and conference room were newly painted.

For information, call 981-6477 or 535-4112.

To cap off a year of celebrating their 40th anniversary, the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane is hosting a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Spokane Women’s Club, 1428 W. 9th Ave.

Jessica Campbell, a national leader on mobilizing white people for racial justice and an on-the-ground organizer with rural communities fighting the right wing in rural Oregon, will speak on “Calling Us All In: Race, Class, Gender, and Justice.”

Jessica is a national leader of Showing Up for Racial Justice and co-director of Oregon’s Rural Organizing Project. She has worked with some rural communities in Oregon to fight for the common lands—from post offices to public parks, to support communities on the frontlines of the militia movement, and to envision what healthy and vibrant rural communities could look like.

This event includes a video celebrating the 40th anniversary, featuring Rusty and Nancy Nelson, Lisa Brown, Ken Isserlis, Taylor Weech and others sharing their pieces of PJALS story.

Guests will have an opportunity to support PJALS financially. Members, donors and friends interested in PJALS work will

hear about how PJALS exposes and transforms systems of violence and oppression to build a just and nonviolent world and to connect with like-minded people in the movement for peace and justice.

For information, call 838-7870 or email lmoore@pjals.org.

Participants in United Way of Kootenai County’s Day of Caring offered their services on Thursday, Sept. 22, to the Human Rights Education Institute (HREI) in Coeur d’Alene.

They helped polish windows, make improvements to the gallery and landscaping, organize behind the scenes storage and exhibit preparation spaces and improve the office space with work stations and filing systems.

The HREI announced several events for October, which is Anti-Bullying Month.

• The gallery exhibition from Oct. 15 to mid-November will be “Bullying Is a Human Rights Violation.”

• A Human Rights Essay and

Visual Arts Contest for students through high school is on working together against bullying runs through Oct. 14. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at a Unity Day Event and Human Rights Essay and Visual Arts Contest Awards Ceremony.

• The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations is p lanning a conference on “Returning Civility to America’s Democracy: The Promotion of Civil Dialogue” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13, at North Idaho College. Cornell Clayton, director of the Thomas Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University will deliver the keynote address.

• A panel of professional and amateur athletes and coaches will discuss “Unity through Diversity in Sports” at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the institute, 414 W. Ft. Grounds Blvd. (formerly Mullan).

• Lunch and Learn at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, will feature a workshop on “It’s Good Business: Creating Inclusive and Supportive Environments for LGBT Employees to Reach Their Full Potential.”

For information, call 208-292-2359 or check the HREI Facebook page.

“Roman Myth and Mythmak-ing,” a temporary exhibition of everyday objects and lectures on how ancient Romans constructed and spread their religious and cultural beliefs runs through Dec. 17 at Gonzaga University’s Jundt Art Museum.

Organized by the Jundt Art Museum, Andrew Goldman of Gonzaga’s history faculty, and Janet Grossman, retired associate curator of antiquities at the Getty Villa, the objects include coins, gems, lamps and statues. The fig-ures, divinities, personifications and heroes chosen by Romans to decorate objects reflect the Ro-mans’ history, beliefs and myths.

“These objects were the focus of religious practice and were used to pass on myths and lessons of their past,” said Andrew. “They reveal the complex story of how Romans understood their world and identity, their past and their

gods, as they expanded and con-quered the Mediterranean world.”

In conjunction with the exhibit, Gonzaga is hosting 10 lectures on “Ancient and Modern Perceptions of Roman Myth, Memory and Culture” at 7 p.m., Thursdays through Dec. 1, in the Jundt Art Museum Auditorium.

The lectures are Oct. 6 on “(Re)imag(in)ing Republican Rome,” Oct. 13 on “The Spirit of Roman Republican Coinage,” Oct. 20 on “Making Your Hair Stand on End: Medusa in Mythology,” Oct. 27 on “Graeco-Roman Wellsprings,” Nov. 3 on “The Other Side of the Coin,” Nov. 10 on “Elite Nego-tiation and Consensus Building,” Nov. 17 on “The Half-Life of Miracles” and Dec. 1 on “Rome as Cinematic Myth.”

The exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

For information, call 313-6843 or visit www.gonzaga.edu/jundt.

Staff and volunteers help repaint center

Human rights education events scheduled

Jundt exhibit is on Roman myths

The s ixth annual Inland Northwest Conference for the Greater Good on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., will gather about 300 people from Eastern Washington and North Idaho nonprofits, educational institutions, local l eaders and phi lan thropic organizations.

T h e I n l a n d N o r t h w e s t Conference for the Greater Good, founded in 2011, strengthens the

nonprofits by bringing together their leaders, staff and volunteers to learn, connect, inspire and be inspired.

Wa s h i n g t o n N o n p r o f i t s manages the conference with the support of an advisory committee, local and statewide co-convenors, and sponsorship by the Inland Northwest Community Foundation and others.

For information, call 808-2694 or email Nicole@thinkwritegrow.com.

PJALS marks 40th anniversary

Nonprofits gather for conference

Crew from Thrivent, The Fig Tree and the EFLC complete task.

Page 4 - The Fig Tree - October 2016

If you are interested in science and in helping people, a career in a healthcare profession may be right for you. The Washington State University Health Sciences campus in Spokane offers a student-centered environment for learning and the opportunity to practice caring for patients in teams with other professionals.

DEGREE PROGRAMSHealth Policy and AdministrationMedical School (coming soon)NursingNutrition and Exercise PhysiologyPharmacySpeech and Hearing Sciences

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Violence and Our Prison Society: Catholic Moral Theology and the Work for Justice, Peace, and Reconciliation 6:30 PM Gonzaga UniversityCataldo Hall, Globe Room Lecture is FREE & Open to all

Gonzaga Religious Studies presents

THE FALL FLANNERY LECTURE Thursday, November 3, 2016

Questions? (509) 313-6782 orgonzaga.edu/religious-studies

Featuring

Amy LevadAssociate Professor of Theology, University of St. Thomas

Providence Center for Faith & Healing presents:

Spiritual Care and Mental Health ConferenceFriday, Oct. 28, 2016 • 8 a.m. - noon, 2 - 4 p.m.

Providence Auditorium at Sacred Heart Medical CenterWith nationally recognized expert

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Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) in Durham, N.C., Associate Director for the national VA Mental

Health and Chaplaincy Program, and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and

Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center.Attend one or both sessions:

$35 (a.m. only) $25 (p.m. only) or $55 (all day)More information and to register:

http://washington.providence.org/events/phc/professional-education/spiritual-care-conference/

or call Chaplain Julianne Dickelman

at 509-474-2303

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development, so they gain knowl-edge and confidence to advocate for themselves with landlords and work for policies that will protect them.

The Tenants Union of Washing-ton State, which started in Wash-ington in 1977, has eight staff in Western Washington.

It started after Seattle proposed to eliminate single-room occu-pancy rental housing. Tenants organized and formed the Ten-ants Union, which successfully fought the proposal. Since then, the Tenants Union has helped pass just-cause eviction, rental reloca-tion and healthy homes for tenants policies in Seattle.

Terri listed common issues:• Spokane’s rental market has a

large percentage of aging build-ings, with many in deteriorating conditions and no housing inspec-tion program to establish condi-tion standards. Other Washington cities, including Airway Heights, Bellingham, Pasco and Seattle, have rental inspection programs. These cities require regularly scheduled inspections of all rental property and hold building owners responsible for upkeep and repair.

• Bedbugs are another common issue. Landlords often ignore provisions in the Washington Landlord-Tenant Act that require they pay for eradication and es-tablish a prevention program, and they add charges to the tenants’ rent. When tenants cannot pay, they issue notices to pay or vacate, which also violates the act.

• Other common issues include 20-day notices, non-return of damage deposits, tenants not seek-ing repairs, reasonable accommo-dation for disabled tenants, and tenant-landlord disagreements on terms of rental agreements.

• In Spokane, 43 percent of rent-ers are “rent burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing. Many

pay 50 to 70 percent of their incomes for rent, so there is no cushion for rent increases. Only 12 of 100 very-low-income ten-ants eligible for housing subsidies receive assistance.

“Perhaps the biggest burden on tenants is that Spokane has no just-cause eviction protection. The current law allows a landlord to give a 20-day notice to termi-nate without reason,” said Terri. “If the tenant cannot move in 20 days, the landlord can evict the tenant, even if the tenant is cur-rent on rent and has not violated the rental agreement, Terri said. If a tenant has an eviction on his/her record, it affects his/her future housing.

So Terri is organizing tenants to urge the City of Spokane to adopt a just-cause eviction ordinance. She recently served on a Stake-holder Group on Rental Issues, Resources and Gaps, with the Spokane Community Assembly, where she and other tenants rec-ommended the ordinance. While this group did not make any rec-ommendations, the information was forwarded to the Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable and Quality Housing. They recom-mended action to explore a just cause eviction ordinance.

Terri said her multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-faith back-ground helps her work with di-verse tenants. In one apartment complex, 14 languages are spoken because there are many refugees and immigrants.

She is a first generation Ameri-can on her mother’s side and fourth-generation Washingtonian on her father’s side. Her father met her mother in Japan when he was stationed in Korea in the Army. They lived in Fort Lewis, Tri Cities, South Dakota, Missouri and Tehran, Iran, where her father was killed in a car accident. Then they moved to Burlington near her father’s mother.

Her mother was Buddhist and Shinto but became United Meth-odist. In Tehran for two years, they lived in a Muslim commu-nity, not the American enclave, but attended the American church, where Protestants, Catholics and Jews worshiped together.

Terri explored and came to respect different religions.

“People of all faiths teach people to be good, treat neighbors well, and love their neighbors as themselves,” she said.

Terri also brings a diverse background of advocacy.

As a paralegal with Spokane Legal Services, assisting Spokane and Kalispel Tribal Courts, she met Deb and Twa-le Abrahamson and became involved with the Sovereignty, Health, Air, Water, Land (SHAWL) Society, advocat-ing cleanup from uranium mining on the Spokane Reservation.

For 11 years, she coordinated Indian Child Welfare with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in Plummer. Then she was in multicultural student services at Spokane Com-munity Colleges, an AmeriCorps community organizer with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane’s Police Account-ability Committee, and labor or-ganizer with the State Employees International Union (SEIU) in Tacoma and then Ohio.

Wanting to live in Spokane, she applied when the Tenants Union was opening a Spokane office.

Terri began working with it un-der a housing preservation grant from HUD.

Working with her in Spokane is Amber Abrahamson, who is in her second year with AmeriCorps Vista. They seek funds for her to be a second local organizer.

The Spokane office also serves Eastern Washington cities such as the Tri-Cities, Yakima and Selah, Colville.

For information, call 464-7620 or terria@tenantsunion.org.

Warriors Heart to Art is offering a “Healing Retreat for Veterans with PTSD” Wednesday to Sunday, Nov. 2 to 6, at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd.

The retreat is in a quiet rural atmosphere, offering vets the opportunity to listen to and support each other, share and process personal stories, learn about trauma and brain function, express themselves in paintings, poetry and songs.

Organizers are recruiting 15 Spokane-area vets, men and women of all ages and all conflicts, vets with PTSD/MST (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Military Sexual Trauma) symptoms that impede their lives.

A team of national and local facilitators will lead the event.

Warriors Heart to Art is a volunteer, Spokane-based

nonprofit that helps veterans heal from PTSD by using creative arts to tell their stories and helps the public understand military trauma, said John Hancock, executive director.

The retreats are motivated out of concern about suicides by combat vets and the isolation many experience.

For information, call 244-8559 or email ed@warriorshearttoart.org.

Continued from page 1

Organizer summarizes common issues

‘Warriors Heart to Art’ retreat set for vets

Business Recycling

ElectronicsCardboard

Paper & Metal

Mon-Sat 8-4:30www.EarthworksRecycling.com

(509) 534-16381904 E Broadway-Spokane

October 2016 - The Fig Tree - Page 5

Immaculate Heart Retreat CenterHope Peace and Healing

Retreat Ministry…Hear the gentle whisper of God

“The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” Ps. 6:8-10

The Hemmingson Center’s Grand BallroomNovember 5, 2016

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Inspirational talk by: Most Rev. Thomas A. Daly

Keynote Speaker: Sr. Joy Marie Milos, CSJ

This event is free to attend; you will be asked to make a monetary gift or pledge.

Light brunch is served.Free parking at BARC parking facility.

Immaculate Heart Retreat CenterA Peaceful Place to Pray and Ponder6910 S Ben Burr Rd. Spokane WA, 99223

Preregister by calling (509) 448-1224or online at www.ihrc.net

Visit our Virtual Retreat online

A Ministry Serving Eastern Washington

Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Servicesof Spokane

Whether you are planning in advance or at a time of need, we are here to help with caring options.

Benefits of Advanced Planning:- Ensure your wishes are met- No interest on payment plans- Avoid costly decisions later- Peace of mind for you, your spouse and family

Call (509) 467-5496 or visit usonline at www.cfcsSpokane.org

HOLY CROSS CEMETERY& FUNERAL CENTER FD683

7200 N. Wall StreetSpokane, WA 99208

(509) 467-5496

ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY& FUNERAL CENTER FD129

17825 E. Trent AvenueSpokane Valley, WA 99216

(509) 467-5496

QUEEN OF PEACE CEMETERY& FUNERAL CENTER FD128

6910 S. Ben Burr RoadSpokane, WA 99224

(509) 467-5496

Greg Finch, Funeral Director

Now providing full funeral, cremation, and cemetery services

GOSPEL & RACISM CONFERENCEAn integration of biblical, theological and cultural

applications of Jesus’ Good News for a topic of vital importance to the church and society

Spokane, Wash.

Oct. 27-29, 2016Featuring:

Lisa Sharon Harper Noel Castellanos Randy WoodleyCost: $75 adults; $60 for college students (18-22)

www.whitworth.edu/gospelconference | 509.777.4437 | oce@whitworth.edu

World Wide EventGlobal Day

of Jewish LearningNov 18-20

Under the Same Sky: The Earth Is Full of Your

Creations”Learning about our world &

nature from a Jewish PerspectiveClasses taught by Rabbi Tamar MalinoRabbi Yisroel Hahn

Professor Patrick CarterTemple Beth Shalom

1322 E. 30th Ave747-3304

www.spokanetbs.org

Family Promise of Spokane is gearing up to open an ad-ditional Day Center as the

“Open Doors” program.The plan is to accommodate its

participation in a new program, the 24/7 Shelter, which is being coordinated by Community Hous-ing and Human Services (CHHS) with the City of Spokane and community partners, said Steve Allen, director of Family Promise for three years.

The planning has been under-way since spring to provide a safe place for homeless individuals and families to go to, have ba-sic needs met and connect with services through the Homeless Families Coordinated Assessment program of Catholic Charities, a one-stop portal for helping fami-lies find permanent housing.

Family Promise, Salvation Army and Catholic Charities House of Charity are scheduled to open a “ramp-up” model with overnight shelters at House of Charity for individuals and the Salvation Army for families on Nov. 1. Family Promise plans to open the 24/7 Day Center Dec. 1 at Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 S. Richard Allen Ct. A full 24/7 model will launch on Jan. 1, 2017, and will include Transitions and Volunteers of America.

A steering committee is in place to address policy, procedure, col-laboration and funding.

While working on the shelter model, the partners will continue to work with other agencies to cre-ate long-term housing solutions.

The 2016, 24/7 shelter ramp up costs are estimated at $287,232 for the three agencies with $127,750 allocated for one-time capital improvements required.

These expenses will be covered with Community Development Block Grant funds for capital and Consolidated Homeless Grant, Spokane Human Services Grant and other CHHS sources for operations.

Steve said they will have the day center open from 7:30 a.m.

to 7:30 p.m.During national Family Prom-

ise Week, Oct. 16 to 23, there is be a food and supply drive, and an open house from 3 to 6 p.m, Monday, Oct. 17, at the Open Doors day center.

This program is in addition to Family Promise’s regular program of housing homeless families in churches, moving them each week, and offering day services at their Day Center at 904 E. Hartson.

Family Promise, which has 12 host churches and 20 support churches, now seeks to find an-other 12 churches to rotate weekly to provide food and other neces-sities for families who come for services, showers, rest and refuge.

Family Promise has hired Joe Ader as the new program director for the day center. He recently moved from Dallas, Texas, with experience working with low-in-come people and speaking for his nonprofit, Understanding Poverty.

Because this is a pilot project, they have no idea how many peo-ple to expect, but anticipate four to five families may come each day for short-term help with resources through Homeless Families Coor-dinated Assessment.

Family Promise of Spokane, one of 202 affiliates nationwide, now is reframing its program to three facets:

• Open Doors is the 24/7 shel-tering of homeless families day-

time program.• Bridges is the current Family

Promise program, moving families from homelessness into homes.

• Villages is a family mentor-ing network, pairing people with volunteers and former homeless families, and offering family enrichment classes one evening a week for two to three years.

“Our dream is to have a ‘vil-lage’ in every region of Spokane to connect former homeless fami-lies—as African villages do—to care for, walk with and look out for families,” said Steve, who saw such villages at work when he was in Zambia from 2007 to 2012. “People knew they were not alone and their lives were not their own. They shared resources and burdens.”

Through family enrichment and mentoring, a family moving into Spokane for a new start continues to have support after 45 days.

Steve told of one family who entered the program. They had been staying in a motel, but after the father lost hours at work, they could not pay for the motel. The wife had health issues and could not stay in a car.

“They showed up at our door, and we had an opening,” said Steve, who previously served as a pastor and missionary.

“We helped them be able to pay their debt, improve the wife’s health, buy a car, find a job and be established in housing. They

are now coming to the family en-richment program and connecting with other former families to gain more life skills and link with com-munity resources,” he explained.

“With the vacancy rate at 1.3 percent, we are seeing continual growth in the number of homeless families. The families need long-term investment,” Steve said.

He believes that mentors—in-cluding both volunteers and for-mer families—can be a solution. So Family Promise is recruiting more volunteers.

Homelessness is often the result of people growing up in difficult environments or abusive families where they have not learned life skills, such as managing a job and budget. Mentors invest in families so they can eventually help others.”

Steve said he is committed to engaging the caring community of churches because government resources have limits.

“We can provide community, friendship and support,” he said.

“Without the churches’ in-vestment in the community, we

suffer,” he said. “The church is called to be a light, sacrificing to help others come to a healthy place. Love with no strings can break down walls.

“One family member said, ‘I felt more loved one week at Family Promise than I have all my life.’ The kind of love the church should be known for is unconditional acts of grace and love,” said Steve, who attends Covenant Church Spokane in Northwest Spokane.

On the concern about hous-ing people in churches without sprinkler systems, Steve said a bill they proposed last year in the State Legislature was rejected by Seattle because the number of days was limited to seven for everyone. This year, they propose a similar bill geared to cities the size of Spokane.

Family Promise of Spokane serves 15 to 25 families in a year. They hope to expand to Spokane Valley.

For information, call 979-8070 or email director@familypromis-eofspokane.org.

The United Nations Association will hold its UN Day Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Gonzaga University’s Foley Library Rare Books Room.

Micah Spangler, deputy director of legislative affairs for the Better World Campaign, will speak on “The Global Refugee Crisis.” The campaign is a nonpartisan organization that works to strengthen the relationship between the United States and United Nations by connecting everyday Americans to awareness of the United Nations.

He will also discuss the UNA’s Adopt-A-Future Campaign to raise money for refugee education,

particularly at two camps in Kenya.For information, call 313-3610

or email taninchev@gonzaga.edu.

Family Promise joins common shelter effort, adds another day center

Steve Allen and Joe Ader prepare for new program.

United Nations Association plans Oct. 26 event

Page 6 - The Fig Tree - October 2016

Partial funding provided by WA State Dept of Ecology.

Please arrive no later than 1:30 pm and bring proof of residency.

Fall Compost Fair& Leaf Festival

For more information call 625-6580 or go to www.spokanecountysolidwaste.org

Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System

Saturday, October 22, 201611 am-2 pm

John A. Finch ArboretumSpokane County residents* who complete the activities may take home a free compost bin. Limit one per household. Bins provided by the Spokane County Regional Solid Waste Sytstem. *Please check with your jurisdiction to see if you are a participating member of the County Regional Solid Waste system.

Program SpotlightAdvocacy - Erin Williams, Program DirectorThere is no cost to attend. You will be invited to give gifts and

pledges to support the programs of LCSNW:Sexual Assault & Family Trauma Response Program

Child Welfare & ClinicalHuman Trafficking

Advocacy & OutreachEducation & Prevention

International & Domestic Foster Care

Please RSVP by Sunday, October 30thonline at www.lcsnw.org/rsvp

Questions: Christie McKee(509) 343-5020 • cmckee@lcsno.org

Save the Date

33rd Annual Fundraising Luncheon

Sunday, November 6, 2016Mukogawa Ft. Wright Commons

4000 W Randolph Rd., Spokane, WA 99224Social Hour: 12:30 pm Lunch & Program: 1:30 pm

Every day there is something new added to the discussion and the complexity, said Aaron, who appreciates that Whitworth’s Robinson Science Center, built in 2011, allows scientists there to do “fascinating research.”

Genome editing is legal, but there are few, if any, state, federal and global regulations, especially about human embryos. Congress gives no federal funding to ge-nome editing in human embryos, so scientists rely on grants from private foundations or bio-tech companies.

With no federal funding, there is no federal oversight from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administra-tion, or the Environmental Protec-tion Authority.

“If we edit genes of a human disease, we may cure people and prevent it in future generations,” said Aaron, “The process is not perfect, so what risks are we will-ing to take? What off-target ef-fects might result? If I change my DNA, will it make me susceptible to another disease?” he asked. “Everyone is responsible: indi-viduals, scientists and doctors.”

“Can we modify DNA of an unborn person to cure a disease? It raises different questions about rights of the unborn,” Aaron said.

“What are responsibilities related to bringing a genetically modified person into the world? What if I could modify char-acteristics to make people look different, be smarter or be better athletes? Engineering babies could lead to eugenics. Who would decide what the good and bad traits are?” he asked.

“There are social and medical implications. For example, if it’s possible to engineer phenomenal athletes is it fair for them to com-pete in the Olympics?” he added.

Aaron wants people informed so they can write politicians about policy. There could be ground-breaking findings. Billions of dollars are at stake over patents to use the technology, Aaron said.

Twenty years ago, scientists found that bacteria defend them-selves against viral attacks that hijack the bacteria and use it as a host to make more viruses. The bacteria take a chunk of the viral genome and memorize it to rec-

ognize later and attack the virus.“It’s like our immune system

memorizing what has attacked us, so we fight it off,” he said.

With fish in the lab, Aaron and students find and change DNA in the genome. The female lays eggs. Males drop sperm over them. A fertilized egg develops externally, so it can be observed.

It begins as one cell with a yolk. Under a microscope, students stick a needle into it and inject components for a genetic muta-tion. If they do it before the cell divides, the change is in every cell, including cells that make eggs and sperm, so it passes on.

It costs less than $100, so it’s economically doable, Aaron said.

Testing in the presence and absence of the mutation makes it possible to observe defects in brain development. They can be seen in two days, because early cells are transparent. If the brain is not normal, students can inves-tigate what went wrong. Once students raise a generation in three to five months, the mutation enters the next generation.

“What are the ethics of our study?” Aaron asked. “Having no nervous system, a fish embryo feels no pain, but we still need to be mindful of the power to inten-tionally mutate a living genome.”

As research develops, he will have the studies reviewed by peers and published so other scientists can learn from them.

The research is currently fund-ed by a three-year $240,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Trust, shared with Reed and Lewis and

Clark colleges. He has another $58,000 grant from Murdock and is applying for grants from the National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation.

While scientists study basic processes in nature, others apply findings to translate them into a cure for cancer or Alzheimer’s.

“I’m interested in finding how life works,” he said.

“There are parallels between a developing embryo and tumor formation. Young cells in an embryo grow rapidly, like cancer, but grow in a controlled manner. Cancer is a normal cell that goes rogue and multiplies with no brakes. The more we understand it, the better we can treat cancer,” he said.

“We need to discuss how to be proactive, not reactive, so we decide together what we should and shouldn’t do,” Aaron said.

For years, crops like corn and tomatoes have been modified to resist pesticides. Salmon are modified with growth hormones so they can go to market faster.

“Brief media reports may create fear about the safety of genetically modified food,” he said. “Whether we agree or disagree, we need to be competent to have a voice on use of a technology.”

Aaron earned an undergraduate degree in 1994 in biochemistry at

Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif., and in 2003 completed graduate work in bio-molecular science and engi-neering at the University of Cali-fornia in Santa Barbara, where he first worked with worms.

He then studied zebra fish and cancer biology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and taught at Hope Col-lege in Holland, Mich., before coming to Whitworth in 2014.

He is one of six tenured fac-ulty and three lab instructors who teach classes from introduction to biology with 220 students to pre-med and biology-major classes with 15 students.

Aaron, who grew up in a Lu-theran church in Issaquah, at-tends New Horizons Community Church at Five Mile. His faith influences his interest in ethics and social justice, especially re-

lated to who has access to and how affordable are the technologies.

“Will we just cure the wealthy, not the poor?” he asked.

Other ethical and justice issues are about vulnerable people hav-ing a voice and everyone being informed of the scientific and social consequences.

Part of concern about the hu-man aspect means Aaron feels called to talk about genome ed-iting so people understand it and can discuss it from a faith perspective.

“We need to decide together where we want to go with it and how to regulate it,” he said.

“We are on the cusp of excit-ing discoveries,” he said, but we must also consider long-term consequences.

For information, call 777-4822 or email aputzke@whitworth.edu.

Continued from page 1

Professor raises questions to help people participate in forming policy

Aaron Putzke works in lab with students.

October 2016 - The Fig Tree - Page 7

Offerings from The Ministry Institute (TMI):Spirituality 101 series with Kathy Finley

Reflections on how spirituality connects to our daily lives Wed. evenings, Oct. 12 to Nov. 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

$15/session, $70 for seriesTMI chapel

For details, contact Kathy at 509-484-4668 or info@mitchandkathyfinley.comTaizé prayer service – every Thursday

4:15 to 5 p.m., TMI chapel – free! ALL ARE WELCOME!

Center for Spiritual Renewal

CONNECT YOUR CHRISTIAN VALUES WITH YOUR FINANCES

Join us for Family Promise Week Oct. 16-23

For Dallas Hawkins, senior verger at the Cathedral of St. John in Spokane, liturgies and music are powerful expressions of his relationship with God.

He succeeded Dennis Murphy, who retired six years ago.

Now the cathedral has four more vergers, Dallas’ wife Kathie Hawkins, Robert Stevens, Liesel Kitlitz and Karice Thompson-Scott.

They share the work through the liturgical year of setting up services, doing much of the be-hind the scenes preparation, as well as vesting in robes and lead-ing the procession in the main Sunday morning worship.

“Vergers have a lay ministry of welcome and hospitality, be-ing sure everything is in place to avoid glitches during the service,” Dallas said.

The verger’s role includes custodial tasks of unlocking the building, turning on the lights, turning on the sound system, making sure the batteries in the microphones are fresh and mov-ing the piano.

It also includes recording the sermons, taking out the elements for Eucharist, changing the altar frontals for the liturgical season, vesting acolytes, lighting candles, setting out alms basins, setting up the hymn board and more.

Vergers may also answer ques-tions people have about the build-ing or the Episcopal faith.

Dallas has a list of the duties for vergers to do before and after the services.

“The verger helps the priest get his or her job done,” he said. “We deal with all parts of the services at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Sunday.”

Its origins of vergers in the 12th

century were in the early Church of England, clearing the way of animals and people with a big stick or beadle pole. Vergers now carry a “verge,” a two-foot stick.

Dallas and other vergers took a course and studied to become fellows of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church (VGEC), which has grown over its 28 years.

The role of vergers varies with every church. Some also “verge” scripture readers, by escorting them to the lectern and back.

Although St. John’s is not as traditional as some cathedrals, it is among the most formal and traditional congregations of the Diocese of Spokane, he said.

Over the last two years, he has been the chair of the committee

helping plan the Sept. 22 to 25 annual conference of the National Verger’s Guild at the Cathedral of St. John in Spokane.

The Vergers Guild has an edu-cation program and supports more than 1,800 members in the Episcoapl Church and Anglican Communion worldwide.

Dallas helped arrange speak-ers, the hotel, banquet and bus-ses. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the retired presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, who now lives in Reno, Nev., was the keynote speaker on the creative possibilities of the ministry of vergers.

Among those attending were the VGEC president, Scott Smith, head verger New York’s Trinity Church Wall Street, and Duke DuTeil, VGEC training advisor and retired head verger at the Washington National Cathedral.

Dallas said that the conference included a procession of 100 vergers.

Dallas, 65, came to Spokane from Calgary, Alberta, to go to Gonzaga University, where he graduated in business in 1980. He had grown up in the Canadian An-glican Church and took religious studies in an Anglican school, as well as four years at Gonzaga.

At Gonzaga, he met his first wife, who was Catholic, so they raised their children Catholic.

Because Kathie, whom he mar-ried 20 years ago, grew up in a charismatic church, they attended a charismatic church. About seven years ago, he suggested that they go to a service at the

Cathedral of St. John. As they became involved in

groups, he started working on the chapter governing body and the foundation.

He and Kathie, who operate an insurance agency, began verging about a year or two after they first attended.

Every other year, the cathedral hosts the Diocesan Convention and he works on logistics.

“I like the more traditional liturgy at the cathedral,” he said. “Liturgy is the way we worship God together. It expresses our relationship with God.”

Dallas said that because not all Episcopal churches have vergers, the tasks to prepare for worship are done either by the priests or other lay people.

For information, call 838-4722 or email dohawkins@mac.com.

Along with escorting the procession, vergers do behind-the-scenes preparations

Dallas Hawkins

A Rural Ministries Resources retreat will be held Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 10 to 11, at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd., in Spokane.

The retreat is for lay and ordained leaders of mainline rural congregations to explore how to do faithful ministry. It is a time to focus on blessings and challenges of rural life and ministry, and network with others from rural churches and communities.

Keynote speaker Shannon Jung, the Cole professor emeritus of Town and Country Ministries at Saint Paul School of Theology and author of books on the relationship of eating and growing food with the faith community: Food for Life, Sharing Food, and Hunger and Happiness.

Shannon was director of the Center for Theology and Land at Wartburg and Dubuque seminaries, and also taught at Concordia College. He initiated a community garden on the campus of Saint Paul in Kansas City, where he teaches environmental e t h i c s . H e a l s o t e a c h e s environmental ethics at Saint Vincent School of Theology and De La Salle University in Manila, the Philippines, sponsored by the Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church initiative.

The event includes worship, contemplation and discussion on revisioning and resourcing rural ministries, discipleship,

generosity and pastoral care.Participants will also explore

how Rural Ministries Resources can serve mainline congregations, and hear stories of how some uniting models have strengthened the mainline witness.

For information, call 466-1768.

Rural Ministries Resources retreat will be held Oct. 10-11

Page 8 - The Fig Tree - October 2016

SaturdayOctober 22, 2016

Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention CenterSpokane Valley

Gather - 9:30 a.m. • Welcome & Prayer - 10 a.m.Closing with Mass - 4 p.m. with Bishop Daly

Cornerstone is an effort by Bishops of the State through the Washington State Catholic Conference to bring together Catholics for inspiration and education on the full range of Catholic Teaching.

Sr. Linda Haydock, SNJM

Executive DirectorIntercommunity Peace & Justice Center, presenting on “Faithful Citizenship in the Year of Mercy”

Richard DoerflingerFormer assistant director of Pro-Life Activities office for USCCB, presenting on “A Prophetic Voice for Human Life and Dignity”

Cost: $35 for registration by Oct. 10$40 for late registrations Includes lunch and renowned, challenging speakers

Register online at www.CatholicCharitiesSpokane.org • Contact Scott Cooper (509) 358-4273 or scooper@ccspokane.org

97th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet

‘Our Lives Matter - Our Votes Count’Featuring Congresswoman Maxine Waters

Saturday, Nov. 126 p.m. Social Hour - 7 p.m. Banquet and Program

Northern Quest Casino - Airway HeightsTo RSVP by Nov. 4, call 209-2425 $50/person, $400/table

eventbrite.com/o/spokane-naacp-8489555794

The Common Ministry at Washington State University in Pullman

is looking for a part-time Program Director for Campus Ministry The Common Ministry is a non-profit organization dedicated to the spiritual development of students at Washington State University. The emphasis of

the outreach of The Common Ministry is on interfaith dialogue, inclusion,

openness and hospitality. A complete job description

and details on applying for the position can be found at:

https://interfaith-house.com/opportunities/

22 years of providing human resource services. How can we help you to promote your mission for our shared community?

We’ll Open Doors for You.

Certified woman owned business

Locally owned and operated by Susan and Ira Amstadter.

make a difference in their lives. He said doing this ministry

together has brought Jessica and him closer. As he listened, people’s stories touched his heart and gave him hope.

Before long their children, Mol-ly and Ashley, started helping. The weekly feeds now include their grandchildren, ages 4, 7 and 8.

Although Jessica felt drawn to “the bridge” and her new friends there, she had to continue to work at the restaurant until her husband was able to go on disability after losing a good job because of a work injury. Over the years, he had eight back surgeries before he could draw disability income.

Once there was another income, Jessica quit her restaurant job. As the ministry evolved, she was able to draw a salary.

As the third child in a family of four girls, she felt unique and misunderstood. Now she realizes she has ADHD. Her difficult childhood became a blessing because, as an adult, it has given her empathy to relate to the people under the bridge.

“God called me to use my struggles to help others who are struggling,” she said. “God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.”

Jessica feels God directs her work with poor, marginalized, vulnerable people who live on the streets.

She grew up Catholic but said she began to know God and Jesus eight years ago, when she started going to non-denominational churches.

“God gave me a new identity and a new ministry of doing works of mercy, kind acts and acts of compassion, by which we help our neighbors with their material and physical needs,” she said,

Citing Matt. 25:35-36, she lists those acts as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, instructing, consoling, comforting, forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.

Blessings Under the Bridge seeks to offer hope to people who feel alone, rejected, outcast and worthless. Its motto is: “Live, Love and Serve.”

“We serve people in need who deserve what we take for granted. It’s a privilege to serve them,” Jes-sica said. “It’s more than serving a meal. It’s an experience. Through God’s truth, we endeavor to reach, bless and offer unconditional love to those lost on the streets of our community to restore their hope, purpose and dignity.”

Over the years BUTB has built relationships with churches, Union Gospel Mission, Feed Spokane, Spokane Valley Part-ners, Food Services of America, Core-Mark wholesaler and local grocery stores.

Opportunities to serve, donate or sponsor are listed at BUTB.org or by texting BUTB to 24587.

Over the years, the ministry has changed. At first, it had sev-eral locations—Catholic Chari-ties’ parking lot, Hope House on Second Ave. and under the bridge at Browne and 3rd.

Now it offers services only under the bridge at McClellan and 3rd Ave., because ministering in one place saves time and energy.

For each meal, volunteers un-load tables, chairs, supplies and food from trucks as patrons line up for a meal. Children aged six and older serve meals beside their parents.

There are eight stations. At one, there is a seven-course, sit-down meal at tables covered with white linen tablecloths. There is live or recorded music while they eat.

The evening includes free hair-cuts, cell phone time and an opportunity to “shop” for cof-fee, cookies, donuts, toiletries, clothes, blankets, school supplies and medical resources.

Sometimes there are programs, like resume-writing workshops.

Blessings Under The Bridge serves quality food like Fettuc-cini Alfredo. Those served also receive extra food and treats in brown bags.

Donated clothing with tears or stains is not given out, because “we are serving God’s special people, treating them as we want to be treated,” Jessica said.

“God gives me the strength to do the ministry, and I am blessed as much or more than those to whom I minister. I learn from

them. They are kind, grateful, humble and forgiving. God told me not to see the people as those who hurt me or others, but to look at the little child in them who has also been hurt and is hurting, and ‘remember that you might be entertaining angels unaware,’” she said. “Because we are to be friendly to and accepting of strangers, we entertain messen-gers of God unaware.

“After eight years, I can’t look at someone lying there cold. I know my acknowledgement, hug, ear, prayers, hands and feet during a meal are appreciated,” Jessica said.

The people feel blessed to be called by their first names, to share when they find a place to live, or to have someone listen.

Some tell her not to touch them, because they are dirty, but soon they reach out to be hugged and cry when she hugs them.

Jessica attends Mirabeau Cha-pel, but the Church for her is the people of God—the people who live “under the bridge.”

Joining her are volunteers from many churches, Jewish people, Mormons and people of no faith who also feel blessed to help.

Jessica and Mike befriended Homer, a 58-year-old homeless man. Over three years, he was on the road to recovery. They helped reunite him with his son and daughter whom he had not seen in 28 years. Someone donated frequent flyer miles so Homer and Mike could fly to Florida to see his family, who thought he was dead.

After Homer died a few years later, Jessica put pictures and a quote on social media: “Some-times life brings you full circle to a place you have been before just to show you how much you have grown.”

Over the last eight years, Jes-

sica has received many awards, been on TV and been featured in news articles.

“It’s the people and the ef-fect we have on each other that keeps me coming back week after week,” she said.

Mike and Jessica realize how

much they had to be thankful for, especially each other.

“The people under the bridge have touched our hearts more than we have touched theirs,” she said.

For information, call 869-6697, email blessingsunderthebridge@gmail.com or visit butb.org.

Continued from page 1

Jessica Kovac let’s God use her struggles to help others who struggle

Ministry of mercy brings Mike and Jessica Kovac closer.

October 2016 - The Fig Tree - Page 9

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Todd Wilson in ConcertHead of the Organ Department at The Cleveland Institute of Music and is also

Director of Music and Worship at Cleveland’s Trinity Cathedral

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Master Class, 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 22Todd Wilson will play works by Bach, Widor, and Durufle

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By Kaye HultCoeur d’Alene Glass Recycling

Company, a nonprofit organiza-tion, has taken up the slack left because the Kootenai County recycling program does not in-clude glass.

An article by the Kootenai Environmental Alliance (KEA) on the company’s Facebook page reports that 75 percent of glass ends up in landfills and Coeur d’Alene throws away about 250 tons of glass a year.

Ben Mello, his family and other volunteers founded the company in 2012 to reduce the amount of glass thrown into the local land-fill. When the Mellos were no longer able to keep it going, Darla Kuhman, former mayor of Athol, took over in January 2015.

She immediately learned a sur-prising fact: “No one knows we’re here. The city of Coeur d’Alene didn’t even know we existed!”

The company operates on a membership basis. Participants donate $120 a year to recycle their glass.

Since Darla took over, she has worked to increase the member-ship base to make the company self-sustaining. She needs a mini-mum of eight members joining or renewing their membership each month to pay the bills. She’s almost there.

In return for membership, par-ticipants are able to make use of the ground glass cullet or ag-gregate.

Recycling glass is done by

crushing it into “cullet,” which has no sharp edges.

Darla keeps a notebook at the recycling plant filled with ideas for how to use the glass.

It makes landscaping material, countertops, substitute for sand on beaches, sandblasting material and numerous other items. It can be used in fiberglass insulation and new glass containers.

Glass is 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly, she said. Using recycled glass creates 20 percent less air pollution and 50 percent less water pollution than creating glass from raw mate-rials, according to a KEA posting on Facebook.

Darla is searching for from half an acre to one acre of land with a small building in order to expand what the company can offer. The building will house equipment.

She plans to build landscaping bins to store the cullet.

Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks including sort-ing glass, grinding it and grant writing.

She hopes to train people in various ways to work with the cullet and new projects to bring members together to build com-munity by helping each other and improving the area.

Darla’s passion for recycling has roots in her Christian back-ground, even though she’s not currently active in a church.

“It’s a program that reaches out to everybody,” she said.

“It’s not just glass. It’s about community. It’s not just a dream. It’s a possibility,” said Darla, who feels called to recycle as a way to create community as well as help the environment.

“It’s a first step in creating new community and ecological habits,” she said.

She believes in being a pioneer to make something happen.

The company is open from 8 a.m. to noon, first and third Sat-urdays at 600 Clayton Ave., Suite 3, in Coeur d’Alene.

Rules help keep the company

running. Darla reminds people who drop off the glass to clean the bottles and jars because the crusher gets clogged when sugar and sauce build up.

For information, call 208-661-6252 or email cdaglassrecy-cling@gmail.com. The Facebook page is Coeur d’Alene Glass Recycling Company.

Family Promise of North Idaho will hold its ninth annual Cardboard Box City to raise awareness about homelessness and raise funds for its work. It will be Friday night and Saturday morning, Oct. 7 and 8, at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 E. Hanley in Coeur d’Alene.

Participants may pre-register to receive a packet instructing them about finding sponsors. They will create homes of cardboard, in which they will sleep overnight.

On Friday night, they will bring their cardboard homes to the church and set them up. They will join a soup line for supper. Their houses will be judged based on various criteria. There are prizes.

After breakfast on Saturday, participants will tear down their sites and leave by 8 a.m.

Family Promise of North Idaho empowers homeless families with children to achieve sustainable housing by working with a network of churches that

feeds and shelters them. Family Promise provides a day center with a case manager who connects families to resources.

Half of the guest children are age five or under. The families stay for an average of 65 days. Family Promise secures permanent or transitional housing for about 80 per cent of the families. More than 600 trained volunteers assist.

F o r i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l 208-777-4190 or visit www.familypromiseni.org.

The Village at Orchard Ridge will host Coeur d’Alene area pastors for a Pastor Summit on “P.E.A.C.E. of Mind” (Profes-sionals Easing Aging Concerns through Education), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, at The Grove, 702 W. Walnut Ave., in Coeur d’Alene.

Susan Melchiore, physician and founder of On Site for Seniors, will speak. A panel of eight local

experts will discuss the spiritual, social, physical and financial chal-lenges of the aging process.

This is the second Pastor Sum-mit of The Village at Orchard Ridge, which is sponsored by 20 churches. The first, in May, pro-vided participants with resources for ministering to the elderly.

Orchard Ridge seeks to pro-mote peaceful aging through future workshops to educate local clergy, outreach ministers and church members on navigating the complexities of the aging process.

For information, call 208-691-7826 or mstewart@theorchardc-da.org.

Glass is 100 percent recyclable, can be recycled endlessly, has many uses

Darla Kuhman shows cullet, crushed glass, that has varied uses.

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Page 10 - The Fig Tree - October 2016

National Council of Churches summarizes churches’ advice on the electionThe National Council of Churches

USA recently published a sampling of faith community resources to help people think about the election from various perspectives.

The primary advice is: Get Out and Vote!Every eligible voter must be given an

opportunity to exercise his/her rights for the upcoming Nov. 8 election. The President and Vice President of the United States will be elected. One-third of the U.S. Senate will be elected. The entire U.S. House of Representatives will be elected. Local, county and regional officials will be elected. Court judges will be elected. State and local elected officials, ballot measures and propositions will impact homelessness, wage equity, mass incarceration, transportation, public education, water quality and much more.

“For these reasons and the fact that the Right to Vote is a basic promise in the United States of America, we sound the alert to register to vote and vote,” said African Methodist Episcopal Social Action Commission chair, Bishop Frank Reid, III.

“The AME Church is committed to voter registration, education and mobilization. In the remaining days, we encourage members to be engaged and allow their voices to be heard up and down the ballot!” said Senior Bishop McKinley Young.

The AME invites people to ensure that the voices of the church are not silent by marking the calendar, organizing listening parties and signing up for email, text, website, Facebook and tweet alerts.

The United Church of Christ urges people to be active in the election: “Politics is often taken to be a dirty word, but political processes are simply the way communities organize their common life. For people of faith, public policy is never merely politics. It is a way of living out the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.”

The UCC said local congregations and church structures across the country can develop nonpartisan programs to help the faith community reflect on the political order. Its “Our Faith Our Vote Campaign” is designed to help people discover ways

they, as individuals and congregations, can be involved in the political process.

More than 100 Christian leaders have asked each presidential candidate, “What would you do as president to offer help and opportunity to hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world?”

Videos of their responses, produced by the campaigns, are compiled by the Circle of Protection without comment or endorsement. Church, college and seminary groups may view and discuss the videos.

#EpiscopaliansVote is an access to help Episcopalians live out their call to “care for our neighbors as ourselves by engaging in the public square.” There are many opportunities for Episcopalians to engage in this electoral process. Official Episcopal policy recognizes voting and political participation as acts of Christian stewardship, calling upon congregations to engage in conversation on public policy issues, to develop voter registration and issue education campaigns, and to advocate for protection of voting rights.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers a “Civic Participation and Voter Education Guide,” believing that the church “is called by Jesus Christ to be a public witness to the love of God poured out for all. Its “The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective” statement affirms the importance of participation of all people in our society, including people of faith. It commits Lutherans to “work with and on behalf of the poor, the powerless, and those who suffer, using this church’s power and influence with political and economic decision-making bodies to develop and advocate policies that seek to advance justice, peace and the care of creation.”

Bread for the World has an “I Vote to End Hunger Campaign,” which sets a goal to work for justice for people who are hungry in our country and around the world. Bread for the World believes that ending hunger by 2030 is a goal within reach, and they urge taking action because “our children, our neighbors — real people — are suffering.” They want candidates to know people will vote to end hunger in presidential and congressional elections.

“Voting is Christian stewardship. Our Christian faith compels us to elect wise leaders who will uphold justice and the common good, especially for people who are poor and needy (Psalm 72:12-14). The Bible underscores the need for good governance and for leaders who govern impartially (Leviticus 19:15; James 2:2-4). Churches, communities and government working together have the power to end hunger,” they said.

A new Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) resource aimed at ending voter suppression is available to download. At the direction of the 221st General Assembly in 2014, the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness created a study guide, “We Shall Not Be Moved – Advocacy in the New Age of Voter Suppression.” The document provides individuals, church groups, classes and pastors a resource to explore the history and context of systemic patterns of voter suppression in the U.S. It draws on U.S. history, Presbyterian social witness policies, Scripture and other resources to provide a template for reflection and action, aware that minority groups do not always enjoy full voting rights.

In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that a coverage formula in the original, historic 1965 Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional because it was outdated. This provision required jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression—those primarily restricting voting rights of African Americans—submit new or proposed voting laws to the federal government for review. By striking down that provision as unconstitutional, the court suspended the Feds’ ability to protect minority voting rights.

The NCC said many evangelicals are asking what to do if they do not like either major party presidential candidate. Some said they would vote for the candidate they dislike the least (60 percent), vote for a third party candidate (28 percent), or not vote for that office (12 percent), according to the June Evangelical Leaders Survey.

Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, said, “My FAQs in 2016 include: ‘Who are you going to vote for?’ (I never tell), ‘Who should I

vote for?’ (I’ll let you decide), and ‘Is it okay if I don’t vote?’ (Probably not. At least vote for as many offices as you choose, but don’t skip the voting booth completely).”

Evangelical leaders see voting as part of their Christian and civic duty. Nicole Baker Fulgham, president of The Expectations Project, a faith-based education advocacy organization, said, “As a woman of color, too many people fought and died for me to have the right to vote. I don’t take it lightly and would be very hard pressed to abdicate that right. Even if I wasn’t super happy with either choice, I’d feel compelled to pick the one I dislike least. I also think, as a Christian, my vote does matter, and it’s part of my responsibility to help decide our leaders.”

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship said that “this election campaign raises some of the most profound spiritual issues in our history. They inform clergy and congregational lay leaders who worry what a tax-exempt group (501c3) can and can’t do, both legally and to preserve comradeship among the members.

“Only actual endorsement or opposition to a specific candidate or party is totally forbidden to a 501c3,” they said.

The group said synagogues, churches and mosques can sponsor “get out to vote” events, urging congregants to register, they can ask people to commit to vote, remind them and offer rides.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States offers the Catholic faithful “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” a teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. It urges Catholics to exercise their rights and duties as participants in a democracy. “We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue, and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching.

“The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order,” the bishops said.

I enjoy reading articles in The Fig Tree. They are inspirational and rewarding.

Saruni LemargeroiMaralal-Samburu, Kenya

What is God’s dream for us?In the midst of death, we pray for and

expect God’s resurrection power to trans-form the world through us. Last Sunday, I was at Central United Methodist Church for their closing worship service as we both celebrated and mourned together. I tried to convey to their leaders our gratitude for their impact on Methodism in the Inland Northwest, and they hope to have an ongo-ing legacy and impact on the world. In the midst of this death, I believe God is calling us to pray and dream about what is next.

The Rev. Gregg Sealey - Inland Dis-trict United Methodist Church

At an “Eracism” training in Yakima, we took a look at those boxes we are so used to checking: gender, age, eth-nicity, marital status and sexual orientation. These boxes are so often used to define us, at least for the purposes of categories or demographics. We went around the room and introduced ourselves according to some of those boxes. I am a white, heterosexual woman in my 50s, for instance.

We then went back around the room and introduced ourselves according to what we want others to know about us: I am passion-ate about my family and my ministry, and I am a runner, for instance. The second go-around was broader, deeper and more col-

orful. The question was then asked, “Why can’t we just do away with the boxes?” On one level it would be nice, wouldn’t it? The truth is, because of our cultural norms, both positive and negative, we do see the world through the lens of our demographics, and others judge us by those demographics. Denying it doesn’t make it go away.

I am a white, heterosexual, married woman in my late 50s. They are pieces of me, and I celebrate those pieces. They are part of who I am. At the same time because of those parts of me, I both see the world through a particular lens and am judged by others because of those pieces.

I am certainly more than those parts, but I am also shaped by the experience of those parts. As I become more aware of distor-tions and limitations of my own particular lens, I am able to widen my view and be-come more aware of experiences of others. I can become more aware of ways I judge others based on their outward demograph-ics, rather than on the depth of their whole being and work to expand my perceptions.

A key phrase that has stuck with me from the training is “Being non-racist isn’t the same as being anti-racist.” I believe it is only as we acknowledge the power and impacts of racism and how it has harmed all of humanity that we can begin to address it. I give thanks for each opportunity to learn more, for in each learning moment there is an opportunity for change.

The Rev. Sandy Messick - Regional minister of the Northwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Our prevailing culture sees cre-ation as inherently conflictual, dangerous and zero sum: there is only so much of any good thing, so more for you means less for me. In this view, the stranger is always a threat, adversary and competitor. Our faith says that in this inherently good and harmonious world the stranger is our friend, actually the incarnation of Christ and should be offered hospitality.

What brings us together each Sunday is our faith in Jesus Christ and service of God’s kingdom. Quakers join with Pope Benedict XVI in saying “Love of God and love of neighbor have become one: in the least of the brethren we find Jesus himself and in Jesus we find God.” At the heart of our gathering are the essential biblical links between love of God and neighbor. This is a “formation of the heart” to unite in loving care for all our neighbors. Peacemaking is not optional but a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement but by our Lord Jesus.

Jesus taught us to never return evil for evil but to love our enemies and pray for them. We also are resolved to reject extreme ideologies that perversely misuse religion to justify indefensible attacks on innocent people and to embrace persons of all reli-gions, including our Muslim neighbors, and to welcome refugees seeking safety. It’s a tall order, living in a zero-sum environment that prefers revenge to reconciliation and forgiveness.

The Rev. Nick BlockSpokane Friends Meeting

So much of what we do requires planning and preparation if we are to do it well. We need to learn in order to teach well, to plan in order to act rightly, to prac-tice in order to perform at our best.

A life of faith is no different. Going deeper into discipleship and maturing into the fullness of Jesus’ beloved community that we are created to be takes thought and preparation. Regular worship and prayer feed our souls and strengthen us for living faithfully, just as regular, healthy meals feed our bodies and enable us to live and work to the best of our ability. Intentional study—Bible study, devotional reading, and other Christian Formation opportuni-ties—provide the guidance we need, and touchstones to follow for holy living.

All that undergirds and spurs us onward into a life of faithful discipleship. As Bishop Steven Charleston says, “Spirituality is best when it gets its hands dirty helping others.” That too takes practice, preparing each day to live all week long like we believe what we say on Sunday, and then deliberately choosing ways to make it happen.

Sharing the time, talents and treasure, with which God has entrusted you, be-comes a joyful habit only when we plan on it—when we commit to the practice of faith—practice which shapes our hearts and souls as surely as regular exercise shapes our bodies.

It sounds like now is a fine time to begin preparing.

The Rev. Jane Schmoezter, RectorAll Saints Episcopal - Richland

Letter to the Editor Sounding Board Newsletter Excerpts

Editorial Reflections

––October 2016 - The Fig Tree - Page 11

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Calendar of Events

Soul Mask: A Portrait of Your True Self

Spirit Center retreats at theMonastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, ID

208-962-2000, spirit-center@stgertrudes.org

What masks do you wear to meet the expectations of others and earn approval in the world?

Join us for a meditative journey to uncover your “true self,” the face of your own soul, and create a mask that reflects the unique and beautiful image of God you were created to be. No artistic experience required. Facilitator: Kathy Villemure.

Learn more and register at www.Spirit-Center.org

Retreat: October 28-30, 2016

21 years of celebrating our cultural diversity

Nov. 12 - 13 Saturday - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.Sunday - 11 noon to 5 p.m.

The Lair – Spokane Community College1810 N. Greene

Free Family Fun All Day! Dance • Music • Workshops • Jam Sessions •

Craft Sales • Children’s ActivitiesMusic: 8 stages • 100 performers

free parking

The Fall Folk Festival is sponsored by the Spokane Folklore SocietyFor information call (509) 828-3683

or visit www.spokanefolkfestival.org

Folk, Bluegrass, Old-time Celtic, Hawaiian, Blues, Scottish, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Native American, African

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To Oct 19 • Art for Social Change, WSU students submit creative writing or art on the history of the Civil Rights movement and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., addressing current civil rights and social justice, www.mlkwsu.edu.

To Oct 28 • “Between the Shadow and the Light” exhibit, U.S. and African artists engage on five themes: Remembrance, Resistance, Reconciliation, Representation and Re-visioning, Bryan Oliver Gallery, Whitworth, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 777-3258

To Oct 30 • “Chinese Lantern Festival–World of Light,” displays, performances and demonstrations and activities, Riverfront Park, Clocktower Meadow, opens 5 p.m. daily, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., spokanelanternfestival.com

Oct 3 • Support Clean Water and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Spokane City Hall, 5 to 8 p.m.

Oct 6 • Transitions’ People Who Care Fundraisers, Red Lion Hotel at the Park, 303 W. North River Dr., 7:30 Breakfast Program, noon, Lunch Program, 328-6702, help4women.org

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – “Locate a Latin American Country,” SAC Lobby, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 358-7554 montoyazamora@wsu.edu

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – “Walkout” film, Eastern Washington University Center Room 122, 3 to 5:30 p.m., 358-7554, montoyazamora@wsu.edu

Oct 6, 20 • Eastern Washington Legislative Conference Planning, Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 S. Richard Allen Ct., 3 p.m. (6th), 2 p.m. (20th), 535-1813

Oct 6, 20, Nov 3 • Peace and Justice Action Committee, “Wake Up and Work,” Anti-Racism Workshop Series, 35 W. Main, 5:30 p.m., 838-7870, pjals.org

Oct 7 • YWCA Women of Achievement Benefit Luncheon, keynote speaker: actor and activist Ashley Judd, Davenport Grand, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., 326-1190, ywcaspokane.org

• Indian Classical Music, Rakesh Chaurasia on flute and Ravi Albright on tabla, South Asia Cultural Association, Unity Spiritual Center, 2900 S. Bernard, 7 p.m., 467-5558, sacaspokane@gmail.com

Oct 10 • Indigenous People’s Day Celebration, Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., walk to Canada Island in Riverfront Park, 2 to 4 p.m.

Oct 12 • Fall Health Fair, WSU Health Sciences Spokane, EWU Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Inland Northwest Death Penalty Abolition Group, 35 W. Main, 5:30 p.m., 838-7870

• Veterans for Peace, 35 W. Main, 6:45 p.m., pjals.orgOct 13 • “Calling Us All In: Race, Class, Gender and

Justice,” Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane 40th Anniversary Lunch, Women’s Club, 1428 W. 9th Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., pjals.org

Oct 14, 15 • 48th Annual Spirit of the Eagle Powwow, EWU’s Native American Student Association, EWU Reese Court, Grand Entry 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m., Saturday

Oct 17 • NAACP Spokane General Membership Meeting, Community Building, 35 W. Main, 7 to 9 p.m., spkncpbr@gmail.com

Oct 17-Nov 22 • Prescription of Literature Exhibit – National Library of Medicine, Spokane Academic Library, WSU Spokane, 600 N. Riverpoint Blvd, Library hours Monday to Sunday, 358-7554, montoyazamora@wsu.edu

Oct 18 • Breakfast of Champions, Special Olympics Washington, Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., 206-681-9369, specialolympicswashington.org

• “For Better or For Worse: Let’s Talk about Marriage,” Eve of Prayers for Couples with Fr. Jeff Lewis, pastor at Chewelah, Springdale and Valley Catholic parishes, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center (IHRC), 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd., 5 to 8 p.m., 448-1224, ihrc.net

Oct 19 • “Crossing the Threshold of Soul Collage®,” ecumenical Coffee and Contemplation, IHRC, 9 to 11 a.m., 448-1224, ihrc.net

• Clash of the Generations – Luke Rice from the EWU College of Pharmacy, noon to 1 p.m., EWU Center, Room 112, Spokane.wsu.edu/wellness/

Oct 19-21 • Young Child Expo & Conference, Gonzaga University and Los Ninos Services, 333, Double Tree Inn, Spokane City Center, 212-787-9700

Oct 20 • Inland Northwest Conference for the Greater Good, Spokane Convention Center, www.inwconference.org, 899-255-2922

Oct 21-23 • 18th Annual Nomee Family Powwow, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Casino, Worley, Grand Entry 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday

Oct 22 • Cornerstone Regional Catholic Conference, “Building a Culture of Life,” Mirabeau Park Hotel and Conference Center, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,358-4273, scooper@ccspokane.org

• Fall Compost Fair and Leaf Festival, John Finch Arboretum, Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 625-6580, spokanecountysolidwaste.org

Oct 23 • Bishop’s Brunch, House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., program at 11 a.m., 358-4254, catholiccharitiesspokane.org

• Todd Wilson Organ Concert, American Guild of Organists, Cathedral of St. John, 127 E. 12th Ave., 4 p.m., 921-7887, jimkholmes@comcast.net

Oct 24 • “Editing the Genome: Should We Alter the Future of Humankind?” Bioethics Symposium, Weyerhaeuser Hall, Whitworth University, 7 p.m., 777-4822, aputzke@whitworth.edu

• Dinner Series on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si, “Stewardship and Our Responsibility,” led by Bishop Emeritus William Skylstad and Fr. Joseph Sullivan of parishes in Uniontown and Colton, IHRC, 5 to 8 p.m., 448-1224, ihrc.net

Oct 26 • Christian Mysticism: Moving to the Heart of the Matter,” Silent Day of Prayer on Mysticism led by Sr. Jon Milos, CSJ, IHRC, 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,448-1224, ihrc.net

• Police Accountability and Reform Coalition, 35 W. Main, 5:30 p.m., 838-7870, pjals.org

• United Nations Day Dinner, Rare Books Room in Foley Library, Gonzaga, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., 313-3610

Oct 27-29 • Gospel and Racism Conference, “Jesus Has Broken Down the Dividing Wall of Hostility,” Office for Church Engagement, Whitworth University campus, 777-3275, oce@whitworth.edu

Oct 28 • “Spiritual Care and Mental Health Conference,” with Jason Nieuwsma, clinical psychologist, Providence Auditorium at Sacred Hart Medical Center, 8 a.m. to noon, 2 to 4 p.m.

• Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), Hennessey Funeral Home, 1315 N. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, 5 to 8 p.m., hbpaspokane.net

Oct 28-30 • “Soul Mask: A Portrait of Your True Self,” Spirit Center retreat by Kathy Villemure, Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho, 208-962-2000

• “Living Mercy: Jubilee Year of Mercy in Action, Weekend Retreat led by Msgr. Robert Pearson and Fr. Michael Blackburn, ORM, IHRC, 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd.

• Beginning Experience Weekend, Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Rd., 534-1797 days, 230-2091

Oct 29 • 5th Annual VA Vets Will Clinic, Gonzaga School of Law, 721 N. Cincinnati St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., wavetswillclinic.com

• Great Pumpkin Race, Mid-City Concerns Benefit, Madison & 18th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., mowspokane.org

• Closing Day for the Spokane Farmers Market, 20 W. 5th Ave., 995-0812,

Oct 31-Nov 2 • Day of the Dead, SAC and EWU Center, montoyazamora@wsu.edu, 358-7554

Nov 2 • Fig Tree Delivery and Mailing, St. Mark’s Lutheran, 9 a.m., 535-1813

Nov 3 • Fig Tree Benefit Planning and Board Meetings, Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 S. Richard Allen Ct., noon Benefit, 1 to 3 p.m. Board, Legislative Conference 3 p.m., 535-1813

Nov 5 • Bazaars and Events - see page 3 for list

United Nations Day Dinner

Wednesday, Oct. 265:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Global Refugee Crisisfeaturing

Micah Spanglerdeputy director of legislative

affairs at Better World Campaign

Rare Books RoomFoley Library at Gonzaga

CALL 313-3610taninchev@gonzaga.edu

Page 12 - The Fig Tree - October 2016

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The international theme for the World Peace Day event on Sept. 21 at Gonzaga University celebrated “The Sustainable De-velopment Goals: The Path to Peace,” said Sally Duffy of Pax Christi Spokane, one of the orga-nizers along with the Institute for Hate Studies at Gonzaga and One Peace Many Paths.

It was also the culmination of the Compassion Games, 10 days of service projects and random acts of kindness from Sept. 11 to 21, said Joan Broeckling of One Peace Many Paths, which coordi-nated those events.

As part of World Peace Day, the 50 people who attended par-ticipated in a World Flag Prayer Ceremony. They walked around chairs in a circle, took flags of the five area tribes and 194 countries and placed the flags in a circle in the center. As they placed the flags, the name of the country was read with a prayer, “May peace prevail in” and the country was named.

International Day of Peace, or World Peace Day, was established in 1981 when the United Nations General Assembly declared a day “devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.”

Theresa McCann of Pax Christi,

the international Catholic peace movement that was founded more than 100 years ago, said that Pax Christi helps people learn nonvio-lence as a skill to practice. She read the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the United Na-tions in 2016.

The 17 goals are: to end pov-erty and hunger, ensure healthy lives, ensure inclusive education, achieve gender equality, ensure access to water and energy, pro-mote economic growth, build resilient infrastructure, reduce inequality, make cities inclusive and safe, ensure sustainable con-sumption and production, combat climate change, conserve oceans and seas, protect ecosystems,

promote peaceful societies, and strengthen global partnership for sustainable development.

At the opening of the Compas-sion Games, NAACP Spokane president Phil Tyler said that speaking on what compassion means to him on the anniversary of one of the worst tragedies, 9/11, carries the challenge that every day “we can come together as compassionate people.”

It should not require a tragic event to stir sympathy and pity for unfortunate people, he said.

“Compassion should increase our world view so we become more tolerant,” Phil said. “Like individual snowflakes, we can have power together to bring an

avalanche of change.”He pointed out that money

cannot buy happiness, but acts of kindness can.

“One person can make a differ-ence. Every person should try,” he said.

Phil hopes Spokane can bridge divisions through compassionate acts to “exponentially increase our power.”

City Councilwoman Karen Stratton said she had sponsored an ordinance to declare Spokane a compassionate city.

“How can the city measure how compassionate it is?” she asked.

A compassionate city is un-comfortable with anyone being

homeless, children not thriving and growing, anyone being mar-ginalized, and anyone not treated with respect, she said.

Karen gave examples of people rallying to support each other, such as in the windstorm and when the synagogue was defaced.

“One phone call and churches leap into action to provide shelter for homeless people,” she said.

People pitched in to donate to provide an elevator for elderly people at Corbin Senior Center.

The City Council recently changed Columbus Day to In-digenous People’s Day, said Karen, who voted for it because of her own Native American background.

For information, call 536-2811 or email hoover@gonzaga.edu.

Participants gather around flags of the world they set out in World Peace Day ceremony.

Events uplift compassion, sustainable development goals as ways to peace

The YWCA Spokane has launched the “Good Guys,” a group of Spokane men who support the YWCA’s efforts to end domestic violence.

Led by Doug Kelley of Avista and Manny Hochheimer of Numerica Credit Union, one of the group’s first activities is filling at least 10 tables at the YWCA Spokane’s 2016 Women of Achievement Impact Luncheon.

The YWCA’s largest fund raiser of the year is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7, at the Davenport Grand Hotel. Keynote speaker is Ashley Judd, actress, humanitarian and advocate for women and children.

“Working to end domestic violence cannot be limited to one gender,” said Manny. “Our community needs to address this problem that tears at our families and hurts our children.”

“Our group started a year ago, when I was challenged to put together a men’s table for the luncheon,” said Doug. “As I learned more about how domestic violence is impacting our community and the criticality of the YWCA’s work, I knew we had to do more.”

A video features community leaders, expressing their support of the YWCA’s work to raise

awareness about domest ic violence and support its victims.

In 2015, 68 people died in Washington as a result of domestic violence, and one in three women

will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.

For information, call 326-1190 or visit ywcaspokane.org/good-guys-are-you-in.

Good Guys group supports YWCA’s programs

Thursday, Oct. 1311:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Spokane Women’s

Club1428 W. 9th Ave.

Jessica Campbell national leader of Showing Up for Racial Justiceco-director of Oregon’s Rural Organizing Project

‘Calling Us All In: Race, Class, Gender and Justice’Video celebrating 40th anniversary with members’ stories

Guests will have an opportunity to support PJALS financiallyRegister at pjals.org/calling-us-all-in

40th AnniversaryLuncheon